CBRM News

The CBRM Active Transportation Committee, along with Velo Cape Breton, Cape Breton University and funding partners celebrated the official opening of the Maryann Corbett Trail today in Sydney. The ceremony took place at one of the Mayflower Mall trail entrances, revealing the new name, honouring Maryann Corbett, a former resident of the New Waterford area and true practitioner of active transportation.

Mrs. Corbett, at 69 years of age, was the winner of a walking race that was held in 1929 along the Sydney Glace Bay Highway. She is a remarkable example of a person who incorporated physical activity into her everyday life and practiced "active transportation" long before the term was used. The Maryann Corbett Trail was a project recommended by the CBRM Active Transportation Plan, which was adopted by CBRM Council in 2008.

The pathway is designed for both cyclists and pedestrians and is 3 metres wide, paved and 10 kilometres in length. Funding partners, in addition to the CBRM, included the Government of Canada, with contributions through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s (ACOA) Innovative Communities Fund and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund, and the Province of Nova Scotia through the Department of Energy’s Connect 2 Program and the Recreation Facility Development Program of the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage.

Approximately 65,000 persons live within 10 kilometres of the new Maryann Corbett Trail. The trail connects Sydney, CBRM’s largest community to the Glace Bay area, to Cape Breton University (CBU), the Marconi Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College, the McCurdy Airport and the region’s largest shopping centre, the Mayflower Mall. The pathway will be especially beneficial for the 500 students who live on the CBU campus as it will provide them with the opportunity to travel by bicycle to many regional destinations.

CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke, in speaking about the project, commented, “This project will promote physical activity, will support environmentally friendly modes of transportation, and will enhance connectivity between the University and the surrounding communities. CBRM wants to thank everyone involved in this project, notably our many community and funding partners.”

“Congratulations to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality on the completion of the Maryann Corbett Trail. It is an important addition to the amenities Cape Breton offers,” said Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton – Canso, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA. “The Municipality has capitalized on a unique opportunity to build and strengthen the rural economy by developing infrastructure that enhances tourism and business investment potential by creating a more environmentally sustainable community.”

Energy and Mines Minister Derek Mombourquette, MLA for Sydney-Whitney Pier, said “From day one, The Province of Nova Scotia recognized the importance of this trail to the community. Over the years we’ve made a significant investment in this project to ensure Cape Bretoners have healthy, vibrant neighbourhoods, and all of us enjoy better air quality by reducing emissions.”

“The Cape Breton Regional Municipality has done a tremendous job contributing in a meaningful way to the national climate change agenda. We are proud to take part in this project, supporting local solutions with national impact and contributing to infrastructure renewal and our transition to a low-carbon economy,” said Vicki-May Hamm, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.